Hokkaido: Otaru

1:25 AM

OTARU

Just a short train ride from Sapporo, Otaru is a great day trip. If you have more time though, you can enjoy Otaru’s old-fashioned charm for a day or two. This small harbor city was a major fishing and trade port in the 1800s and remnants of its history is still evident today.

 

Its iconic Otaru Canal is a 1440 m long reclamation type canal with stone built warehouses and gas lamps. The Sakaimichi Street (Sakaimichi Dori) is a must see here you can eat Otaru specialties and shop its amazing products.

Otaru is known for its glassworks and music box. The famous Kitaichi Glass is located here. There are several buildings where you can view their goods. Every morning at 8:45 you can watch them individually light each of the original 167 oil lamps in Kitachi Hall. Enjoy the café in this rustic hall.

Hours of Operation: 8:45 AM – 6:00 PM (last order 5:30PM)
Website: http://www.kitaichiglass.co.jp/shop/kitaichihall.html

You can also try your hand at glass sculpture or have a tour of their glass workshop and the Kitaichi Venice Museum.  You’ll need 1-2 hours for sandblasting, which is when you blow sand on the surface of the glass (Y2250). If you have limited time, you can try your hand at dragon fly bead arrangement which should take you about 15 mins (Y1000) or take the Kitaichi Glass tour is free from 9:30AM -4:30 PM

 

 
Website: http://www.kitaichiglass.co.jp/experience.html

Among the must-see is the Otaru Canal. It is lined with restored warehouses and buildings. In the winter, this is one of the sites of the Otaru Snow Lighting Path.

You can see antique items and many music boxes in the Music Box Museum and in its the other buildings. You can also customize your music box at their You-kobo location where you can pick what music and decoration to your preference. Make sure to book your seat at least 4 days before. You can book at http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/web_reserve/22topping_reserve_en.html .

Website: http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/english/e_main.html
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

Enjoy Otaru also by eating their many specialties. As a fishing port, you can enjoy many Hokkaido seafood at usually a lesser price than Sapporo. They also have many sweet goodies. 

 

One must try is the 7 layer rainbow tower. This soft ice cream can be enjoyed in several stores in Otaru. The rainbow tower (Y550) of Kitaichi Cafeteria feature 7 flavors: grape, melon, matcha green tea, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, lavender. The also have single flavored cones and a 5 flavor tower which is the rainbow tower without matcha green tea and chocolate (Y480).

 

Hokkaido is widely known as having great dairy thus their ice cream and other dairy products like cheese and butter are a must try. The Double Fromage cheesecake of Otaru original Le Tao is a must.


 
Le Tao, which is named from the first letters of “La Tour Amitie Otaru” or the amiable tower of Otaru. Their head store stands tall in the Marchen Intersection. 

This milky and creamy baked cheesecake should be savored with each bite. You have the options of the Double Fromage and Chocolat Double. You can enjoy their freshly made DOUBLE FROMAGE and coffee or tea at their head store while watching the popular Marchen Intersection. They have a cake buffet once a month but a reservation is required.  

The Le Tao Chocolat features 50 kinds of chocolates where some are only available at this store. The stores usually close at 6PM. They have 6 stores in Otaru but you can also buy from their Chitose and Chitose Airport stores. They have frozen cakes, which you can bring home.

 

Website: https://www.letao.jp/global/en/
Hours of Operation: 9:00AM -6:00 PM (Other Stores may vary)

Stores though usually close at 6pm. 

For some fun in the snow, you can visit the many neighboring ski resorts. One with a good range of activities for beginners is Winkel Village. It’s just a 30 minute bus ride from Otaru Station. It has access to Asari Ski area and features an Onsen.

 

 

ACTIVITIES AT WINKEL VILLAGE:
SNOW SHOE TOUR 10:00 AM-2PM Y4600 (Tax excluded but includes guide fee, snow shoe and poles, and insurance. Meeting Location is Winkel Village, 2-5 persons to participate. Bring water and candy.)

SKI SHOE TOUR 10:00 AM-2PM Y5300 (Tax excluded but includes guide fee, ski shoe and poles, and insurance. Meeting Location is Winkel Village, 2-5 persons to participate. Bring water and candy.)

SNOW BOARD & SKI in nearby Asari Ski area. 

It is about 10 m-15 minute walk from bus stop. 

 

 
Ski Packs:
Rental Pack: Y5500 (rental + 1 day pass) 
Enjoy Pack : Y9300  (rental +lunch + 1 day pass) 
Lunch Pack: Y3700 (lunch + 1 day pass)

 
 
Ski Lift:
Lift ticket 1 day Y2900
Morning until 1PM Y2400
Afternoon from 1PM  Y2400
1 lift ride Y300
night ride Y1500

GLASS BLOWING 11AM -7pm
Workshops: 11 AM-5 PM
Glass bead making Y1500 (tax excluded)/ you can have your bead after an hour
Glass Fusing Experience Y1500 (tax excluded)/ you get your bead after 24 hours.

Access: Bus # 13 at bus stop #3 to Asarigawa Onsen. Get off at Asari Hotel Classe. Winkel Village is across the road.

WINKEL VILLAGE: http://www.winkel.co.jp/english/enjoy

Other interesting places to visit are the Otaru Tengayuma Ropeway, Winkel Village, Asarigawa Onsen, Nikka Whisky Factory, and the many ski resorts in greater Otaru Area.

Getting Around: Otaru is a small town you can basically walk around but you can take the Otaru Stroller Tourist Bus that runs every 30 minutes. The blue line of the bus takes you to majority of your must see stops like the Otaru Station, Kitaichi Museum, Otaru Canal, and Sakaimachi Street. It’s Y220 per ride or Y750 for a day pass. Pay exact amount or you can also use your IC card.

Other Useful Websites:
NIKKA WHISKY FACTORY: http://www.nikka.com/eng/
ASARIGAWA ONSEN WINTER RESORT: http://asari-ski.com  / https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0249ens.html

Tourism Website of Otaru: http://otaru.gr.jp.e.go.hp.transer.com/
Access: Otaru Station



 *Sales of Message Candles Y100 Message Candle 

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